Apparatus for manufacturing chlorates by an electrolytic process.



T. OIWA. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING CHLORATES BY AN ELECTROLYTIC'PBOCESS.

APPLICATION FILED IULYZB. 1918.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

Ta/ eo Dim/a,

TAKEO' OIWA, OF TOYOTAMA GUN, TOKYO FU', JAPAN.

APPARATUS FORMANUFACTURING CHLORIATES BY AN ELECTROLYTIC PROCESS.

Specification of Letters. Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

Application filed July 23, 1918, Serial No. 246,308.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TAKEO OIWA subject of Japan, resident :of No. 1637 iNakano, Nakano Machi, Toyotama Gun, Tokyo Fu, Japan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in An Apparatus for Manufacturing Chlorates by an Electrolytic Process, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing chlorates by an electrolytic process, and consists of a series of cells each of which has an anode consisting of a number of platinum wires arranged on the inner surface of the cell and a cylindrical cathode, either solid or hollow, fitted at the center of the cell, the electrolyte entering from the bottom thereof, filling the small space left between the anode and the cathode, and overflowing from the upper part of the cell to the lower part of the next cell. The object of this invention is to increase electrolytic efficiency by shortening the distance between the electrodes, making the electrolyte to flow uniformly through the space between the electrodes, and adjusting the temperature of electrolyte and the density of electric current according to the, concentration of the electrolyte.

Referring to the drawing annexed,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a cell constructed according to my invention, of the cell being broken off.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same, being a section on the line A'B. I

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cathode supporter; and

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement of cells and crystallizing vessels.

The same reference numbers refer to the same or corresponding parts throughout all the figures.

To a bottom (1) of glass, porcelain or the like, having a shape of inverted cone and provided with a flange (6), is inserted a cathode supporter (2) which has also a shape of inverted cone so as to fit the bottom (1). On its cone surface, radiating from the apex, this cathode supporter (2) has a number of grooves, and on its plane or upper surface, at the center, it is provided with a projection (4). To this bottom (1) is connected a tube or cylinder (7) of glass, porcelain or the like, having flanges (8) at its both ends with packing of any suitable material. Upon the cathode part supporter and supported by the projection thereof, is placed concentric with the cell body a cylindrical cathode of graphite or any other suitable material, either solid or ho low; and on the inner surface of the cell body are arranged a large number of platinum wires (10), which form an anode. The

lower ends of these platinum wires are firmly fixed at the junction of the cell body and its bottom; and the other ends are bent outward along the upper flange of the cell body and are connected with one another by a ring (11), which forms the anode terminal. The cathode is firmly held at its upper part from sides by a ring (13) having a number of projections (31), and is provided with a. terminal (12) of copper rod or the like at its center. Upon the cathode is placed a head the like, which is provided {with pipes (16) for the gas to escape and a lhole (3a) to re ceive the terminal (12) of the cathode. This head piece 815) is connected with a glass cylinder (14 by means of an indie rubber ring (17), the said glass cylinder (H) being connected by means of a flange provided ,at its lower end with the cell body (7).

Through this head piece (15) is inserted a thermometer (18). At the upper part of the cell, as an outlet of the electrolyte, there is fixed an inverted T shaped pipe (21), the upright arm of which communicates with a burette (19), with a pinch cook (20) propiece (15) of porcelain or vided between them, so that a measured quantity of an oxidizing agent can be poured as desired while electrolysis is going on. The third arm communicates with the lower end of the next cell through a. tube (22). tremity of the cell is fitted a cross-pipe, one arm (24:) of which is connected through a pipe (23) with the outlet pipe of the next preceding cell. The other two arms (25) (26) serve respectively to get rid of precipitates and to draw off the electrolyte for testing. The cell is on, its outside provided with any suitable appliance for heating it or to prevent radiation of heat therefrom.

(See Fig. 4). At the lower ex- 3,5

As is shown in Fig. 4, the cells of my f vention are arranged in a series in the following mannerz- The bottom of the first cell (A is conso'on until the last cell is reached. The

Iii/way that the two conductors (-27) and (28) are parallel to each other. The last cell leads by means of a pipe (29), which can be easily connected or disconnected, to the first of a series of crystallizers (B) which are connected with one another and provided with a valve (30) between any adjacent, two, the last of the crystallizers leading into a drain pipe (33).

My invention works in-the following man- A-solution of potassium chlorid or any other chlorid is introduced from the reservoir into the first cell from its bottom. The fluid fills the cell, receiving electrolytic action while passing upward constantly and uniformly the small space between the cathode and the anode, and the resulting gas escaping from the pipes ,at-the head part of the cell. The fluid thus partially electrolyzed overflows through the outlet pipe into the next cell, then into the next, and so on, The perfectly electrolyzed fluid constantly overflows from the last cell of th series into a series of crystallizers; and when thevcrystallizers of the first series are filled, the out- .let pipe of the last cell is connected with a second series of crystallizers, then to athird series, and so on. Then commencing with a series of crystallizers in which crystallization has been perfected, the mother liquor is drained away through the drain pipe and the crystallized chlorate is scraped off into the receiver provided below.

This invention has the followi tages over the process hitherto use 1. The electrolytical efficiency is greater,

' because according to this invention the electrodes are kept in short and uniform distance, and electrolyte circulate between them ,thoroughly and atuniform speed.

, 2. As th electrolyte and the gas evolved therefrom never come into contact with the terminals of the electrodes, there is no fear *of their junctions to be corroded.

3. As the cell is perfectly closed with. in-

: sulating substance excepting the openings left for the gas and vapor to escape, the gas can be collected and turned into advantage...

Further as the cell is coveredwith a suitable substance, there is no fear of vapor an d the like condensing on the outside, and consequently there is no possibility of electricity 4'. The cithode can .casilybe changed. 5;The outside of the cell will neverdha soiled by the electrolyte, gas, or the/like;- and consequently it can be kept we clean and means to heat the cell or to diation of heat plied.

event ratherefrom can/easily be apadva'n- 6.111 the case of forming a chlorate by electrolysis from a chlorid, as the chlorid decomposes conductivity thereof changes, and

there is necessity ,of adjusting from time to time the temperature of the electrolyte and the density of electrical current. Now, according to my invention, as the apparatus consists of a number ofcells of a cylindri-,

- 7. .The reservoir of electrolyte, electrolyzing cells and crystallizers are con'nected with one another in. such a way that fi'om the time when the electrolyte leaves the reservoir until it comes out of the last crystallizer as mother liquor, excepting the easy work of testing the electrolyte and theshlfting of the last outlet pipe from one series of crystallizers to another, everythingis done automatically, which saves much labor and mini mizes the loss of the electrolyte. Thus my invention has great economical advantage.

I wish it understood that any other form of construction can be used so long as it does not depart from the spirit of my invention.

v Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,

I claim p 1. An apparatus for manufacturing chlorates by electrolysis comprising a cell, an electro e arranged on the-inner surface of the cell, a second electrode within the cell. and uniformly spaced from the first electrode, and means for causing the electrolyte to flow upward and between the confronting surfaces of the electrodes.

2. An apparatus for manufacturing chlorates by electrolysis, consisting of a cell having one electrode arranged on the inner sur: face of the tubular or cylindrical bod of the said cell; the other electrode in the orm of a cylinder, solid or hollow, placed within the said body of the cell concentric therewith; and in which the electrolyteis made to flow tpward in divergent directions uni-= formly-and constantly, vand to overflow from /an upper part of the cell body, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore. set

forth.

ratzgby electrolysis, consisting of a cell having n anode composed of a number of platinum wires arranged on theinner sur-'. face of the -tubular orcylindricalbody of 3. An apparatus for manufacturing chlomenses of the cell concentric therewith; and in which the electrolyte is made toflow'upward from below the electrodes, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth. 3 I

4. An apparatus for manufacturingchld rates by electrolysis, consisting of a cell having one electrode arranged on the inner surface of the tubular or cylindrical body of the cell; the other electrode in the form of a cylinder, either solid or hollow, placed within the body of the cell concentric therewith; and in which the electrolyte is made to flow upward from below the electrode the cell being so constructed that excepting the passage for the electrolyte and the openings for the gas evolved therefrom to escape, the whole is tightly closed, and the electrodes are placed in such positions that their junctures withtheir terminals never come into contact with the electrolyte and the gas, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth. i

5. An apparatus for manufacturing chlo rates by electrolysis, consisting of a cell. having one electrode arran ed on the inner surface of the tubular or cy indrical body, scpa rable into several pieces, of the cell; the other electrode in the form of a cylinder, either solid or hollow, placed within the body of the cell concentric therewith; and in which the electrolyte is made to flew up-. ward from below the electrodes, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

6. An apparatus for manufacturing chlorates by electrolysis, consisting of a cell having one electrode arranged on the inner surface of the tubular or cylindrical body of the cell; the other electrode in the form of a cylinder, solid or hollow, placed within the body of the cell concentric therewith; and a bottom in the shape of an inverted cone to receive a cathode supporter of. corresponding shape, the cone surface of which cathode supporter being grooved with a number of grooves radiating from the apex-of the cone in order to distribute uniformly the electrolyte introduced from below, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore setforth.

7. An apparatusfor manufacturing chlorates by electrolysis, consisting of a cell having the anode arranged on the inner surface of the tubular or cylindrical body of the cell; the cathode in the form of a cylinder, solid or hollow, placed within the said body of the cell concentric therewith and firmly held from above by a head part, of glass, porcelain or the" like, ofthe cell; .and in which the electrolyte is made to flow ireward from below, substantially as and. Ior the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

8. An apparatus for manufacturing chloratcs by electrolysis, consisting of a number of cells, each of which having one electrode arranged on the inner surface of the tubular or cylindrical body of the cell; and the other electrode the form of a cylinder, solid or hollow, placed within the said body oi cell concentric therewith; and in which the electrolyte is made to flow upward from bclow the electrodes in each cell, the whole being so connected that the electrolyte overflowing from an upper part of a cell is introduced intothe next cell fro below substantially as and for the pu. before set forth.

9. An apparatus for ll]d1'lIl ClU lIi rates by electrolysis, consisting r of cells; each of which having one arranged on the inner surface of lar or cylindrical body of other electrode in the f( solid or hollow, placed wit in of the cell concentric therewith; and in which the electrolyte is made to flow upward from. below the electrodes in each cel the whole being so connected that the ole overflowing from an upper of a c i introduced into the next cell from below, and

-the terminals of the electrodes are connected by conductor'in the parallel system, substan tially as and for the purposes hereinlie set forth.

10. An apparatus rates by electrolysis, of cells, each 01. w arranged on the ll nfacturing chlo electrons hollow, placed v cell concentric then electrolyte is 13G low the electrode in 0 being so c nnect flowing from an i e: troducel into the new a a cone condu tor in the para; system; wholecan be connectedsuccessively with one and then another of several series of crystal-"- lizere, substantially as and for the purposes herenbcfore set forth.

Sgned at Tokyo, Japan, this 25th day of J11) ,e A. D. 1918.

TAKES UIWA.

Witnesses .YOSHIO KANEADE, H. TAKINOY.

of a number, 

